Wear It Now for the Holidays: Olympia Le-Tan’s Handbags

It may come as somewhat of a surprise that Paris-based handbag designer Olympia Le-Tan can often be found in the environs of the British Museum, also rooting around various antiquarian and charity shops. Her purpose? Finding rare tomes to add to her ever-burgeoning vintage book collection, a passion since childhood. It seems only natural therefore that her first foray into design should take inspiration from these, her prized possessions. Her bags, which replace the printed letters with those of embroidered silk and replicate the beloved cover designs in colorful felt appliqué were meant, as she puts it, as, “beautiful boxes in which to stow ones treasures.” Initially intended as limited-edition runs of sixteen bags per title for French cult store Colette, these charming trompe l’oeil designs can now be found stateside at the Webster in Miami. What she found most surprising perhaps was the number of men who were instant fans. “Marc Newson bought one to use as a box and has it displayed on a shelf,” and according to Le-Tan, Christian Louboutin also has his eye on one. She also is keen to point out that they make excellent evening bags, and are the perfect conversation starter.